6/11/2026: Missouri River Fishing Report
Summary
Rain is the story of the week, with the Missouri bumping to 3,500 CFS and now dropping back toward 3,300 to 3,400. The tributaries have cleared, the Dearborn is adding a liked green tint downstream, and the PMD and caddis hatches are both on in force. Heavy June traffic at Craig means go early or go late.
At a glance: ~3,300 to 3,400 CFS at Holter, dropping after a rain bump | Slight green tint below the Dearborn, otherwise clear | 56 to 60°F | Cool and showery giving way to a warming trend, highs 60s to 70s | PMDs and caddis on, Tricos and brown drakes on deck
The story of the past week is rain, nearly 3 inches locally, with another inch or so forecast. The Missouri bumped to about 3,500 cfs and is now back down to 3,300 to 3,400 and dropping. The tributaries have cleared; the Dearborn (475 to 490 cfs and falling) briefly set up a mud line and is still adding a green tint downstream that many anglers like. Dam outflow is just under 60°F at midday, which makes wet wading a comfortable option. The fish are in their peak metabolic zone and eating heavily every day.
The PMD hatch is well underway, a few weeks ahead of schedule, and caddis have arrived in force. Hatches have been strong but not always consistent day to day; bugs generally start popping around 10:00 to 11:00. The upper river has been the better dry fly water, with a longer daily window. Whole-river coverage otherwise: no shop broke out conditions by sub-section this week.
Heavy June traffic at Craig and the boat landings. The busy season is in full swing, with anglers up and down the river. Go early or go late to beat the crowds, and be patient and respectful at the ramps.
Best techniques
- Nymphing: The all-day producer. Worm and sowbug combos in the morning, switching to smaller mayfly patterns when the bugs pop mid-morning. Run about 5 ft to the first fly over 4 to 6 ft gravel bottoms, or short-leash 2 to 3 ft on the flats, banks, and through pods. A short 2 to 3 ft rig tossed to the shore line is producing lots of medium browns and the occasional jewel. If the rig isn't working, change weight, depth, or pattern.
- Dry fly: As good as it gets when the PMDs blow up, and the fish are getting educated, so bring the A game: long leaders, accurate casts, fly-first presentations. The rusty spinner has been the go-to, a caddis with a PMD emerger behind it is a strong pairing, and cripples shine after rain knocks bugs onto the water. Evening caddis action should build on the warming trend.
- Dry-dropper: A Chubby or larger mayfly suspending a Micro May or Frenchie is hard to beat in skinny water; big browns will occasionally eat the Chubby itself.
- Soft hackles / swing: Late morning to early afternoon is swing time. A Gold Tung Dart (caddis pupa) over a Partridge & Yellow soft hackle (PMD) has produced screaming-reel sessions on the trout spey.
- Streamers: A good option if you like bigger fish, best with the sun off the water. Intermediate sink tips to get the fly down; dark purple and black have been most effective, then sparkle olive, yellow, and brown. Target banks, gravel-bar drop-offs, and mid-river buckets. Only a couple of weeks left before the weeds get tall.
Hatches
The Fly Box
Nymphs: Split Case PMD, Frenchie, Green Machine (incl. Little Green Machine), Psycho May, Black IPT, Spanish Perdigon, Fullback Napoleon, Two Bit Hooker, Micro May, Crust Nymph, Tung Jig Pheasant Tail, Tung Jig Hare's Ear, Blow Torch (incl. red bead), Tailwater Sows (natural grey, rainbow, pink), Wire Worm, Red Bead Duracell, Brown Perdigons, Zirdle (fish it fast and shallow as flows drop), Two Hot PMD, PMD Magic Fly, Redemption, Gold Lightning Bug, Doc's Summer Bug, Purple Weight Fly, UV Czech Caddis, Pheasant Tails
Emergers: Loop Wing Emerger, Captive Dun, Partridge & Yellow, PMD Soft Hackle, Translucent Pupa, Translucent Emerger, Edible Emerger, CDC Emergers, Tung Darts
Dries: Hi-Vis Rusty Spinner, Rusty Spinners, Corn Fed Caddis, Missing Link, Sparkle Dun, Film Critic (PMD), Elk Hair Caddis, D&D Cripple, Purple Haze, Adams, Purple Para Wulff, Royal Wulff, Sparkle Flag, Split Flag, Brianne Dun, CDC Para Spinner, Hi-Vis Spent Caddis, Buzzballs, Double Duck Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis, Hatchbacks, Flash Cripples, Last Chance Cripples, Sprouts
Streamers: Kreelex, Sparkly Minnow, Thin Mint (incl. Thin Mint Bugger), Sex Dungeon (incl. a big white Dungeon if your heart can handle it), Lil Kim, Skiddish Smolt, Gamechanger, Bam Bam, Trout Spey Bugger, Mini Montana Intruder, Mini Sculpin, Mini Dungeon, Micro Peanut Envy, Peacock and Black Bugger
Outlook. A warming trend is settling in after the cool, wet stretch, with highs in the 60s and low 70s and mostly sunny skies this week. Tricos and brown drakes are the next bugs expected. The early PMD start plus the return of cool, wet weather has the shops optimistic the hatch will run long rather than end early. With the rest of the state's flows shaping up, some Missoula-side crowd pressure should ease. Headhunters calls the next 8 to 10 weeks "dry fly Valhalla." Streamer anglers have roughly two weeks before weed growth closes that window.
Sources and Thanks
| Shop | Report date | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Headhunters Fly Shop (Craig) | June 11, 2026 | Missouri River |
| The Trout Shop (Craig) | June 11, 2026 | Missouri River |
| Cross Currents Fly Shop (Craig) | June 11, 2026 | Missouri River |
| Wolf Creek Angler (Wolf Creek) | June 11, 2026 | Missouri River |
